Several rituals later, the wedding drew to its end on that day. The royal newlyweds exchanged bows, wine and shared a meal behind closed doors, before leaving to change into their sleeping attire.

Now it was time for their first night together.

In the nuptial chamber, Eun-bi sat on the edge of the bedding and waited for her husband. Could she wait like a prim and proper lady, just like how Court Lady Kim had taught her to? Certainly not. Eun-bi's aching legs gave out, and she passed out on the bed with her arms spread out like an eagle, staring up at the ceiling.

A minute later, she began tossing around and clutching her head out of anxiety.

It wasn't like she had never spent the night with Yul before, but this differed from just sleeping. She was at a loss. What if she embarrassed herself?

What if she wasn't ready?

If she were to ask her own mother or Court Lady Kim, it seemed like the most embarrassing and preposterous idea to her. Knowing them, they would pester details from her later about the night–something which Eun-bi wanted to avoid the most.

Hence, hours ago, she had sought advice from others whom she could ask comfortably.

"Da-hee, I've a question to ask you. What should I do on the first night?!"

A frown flashed across the girl's face, whom Eun-bi realised wasn't as innocent as she thought. "You should play hard to get. Men like that. They would find it very arousing."

"So I should start a pillow fight and fling something to his face?"

"No, Your Highness. I didn't mean that kind of playing." Da-hee groaned and threw up her hands. "How am I supposed to explain it to you?"

Still confused, Eun-bi posed the same question to her sister, who laughed and gave her an answer that was comforting, yet still ambiguous.

"Be yourself, as always. That's what he likes about you."

Releasing a frustrated groan, Eun-bi searched for a pot of wine that was sitting on the table along with some night snacks that the servants had prepared. She realised she had approached the unmarried ones and their experiences were as lacking as hers.

What if she were to drink herself drunk? Would that ease her anxiety and provide her with some courage?

A memory jolted her mind, reminding her of what she did the last time to Yul when she became a drunkard. The idea suddenly felt dangerous, because she didn't know what she could do next if she got herself intoxicated again.

There was a shuffle of movement on the other side of the door, and afterwards, the servants announced Yul's arrival. In a hasty decision, Eun-bi bolted for the bed and threw the covers over herself, squeezing her eyes shut and remaining as still as a statue.

It went without saying that the best way to avoid the awkwardness was to pretend to sleep!

The door to the nuptial chamber creaked and slid shut. She could hear Yul's muffled footsteps as he entered the room, slowing to a quiet stop when he found her.

When he didn't emit a noise, she grew nervous, unable to imagine what kind of expression he was making. If he was upset or disappointed with her for hiding from him, well, it was too late for her to amend her way now.

The floorboard creaked, and she heard him move closer. She held her breath as she felt the edge of the bed sinking, followed by his breath tickling the back of her neck. Fingers began crawling up along her sides and around her waist, teasing her playfully.

Eun-bi let out a small squeak of air, but held herself and kept up her act. Even though she never told him this weakness of hers before, Yul's discovery was going to be her downfall. Now, he could wield it as a weapon against her anytime, and she would yield to him.

With a deft motion of his fingers, they ran across her ribs and sides with added pressure, forcing her to burst out in uncontrollable laughter.

"Stop, stop!" She rolled over and squirmed away. "I surrender! That tickles!"

Now that they were alone, his gaze went unfortified and softened into a smile. "This is what you get for hiding from me."

She let out an awkward chuckle. "Was I hiding? The bed charmed me."

Her eyes lowered to her leg, realising that he had grabbed her right ankle and held onto her so that she wouldn't run far away from him. "A-are you not letting me go?"

"So that you can run away again?"

"I won't! I swear–"

He drew her towards him slowly, moving her legs over his thighs and wrapping them around his waist. He slid his hands between her back and the bed, before hoisting her up into a sitting position on his lap–a move seductive enough to turn her mind into a puddle of incoherent thoughts.

Even though she was smaller in frame, her body fitted against his perfectly, her curves moulding into his. Her arms hooked around his neck for something to grab on, leaving her staring into his calm, handsome face.

Heat set ablaze on her cheeks. "You're cheating, Yul."

He chuckled softly. "Tell me what's bothering you."

"It's not worth mentioning," she mumbled. "I'm just...embarrassed by this entire setting."

He didn't seem disappointed by her confession. "I'm new to this as you are," he told her honestly. "I will not force you to do something you dislike."

"I'm sorry." She swallowed nervously. "It's not that I dislike it or I don't trust you. I'm just not... prepared."

"I understand." He rubbed her back in encouragement. "I will give you my word that I will do nothing to you until you're ready and comfortable. You're still very young, Eun-bi, so do not weigh yourself down with the duties of the Crown Princess yet. We still have ample time ahead of us."

Relief coursed through her like freshwater flowing from a spring. "Sometimes, I wish you would get angry at me. Maybe you could throw a little tantrum," she suggested before recalling a memory. "But do not carry me midway and then drop me on my buttocks again like the first few times we met. These are my precious assets."

An apologetic frown crossed his features. "I will not do that again."

"I know. I'm just teasing you." She gave him a rueful grin and wriggled closer. "So, what should we do now?"

"Sleep," he suggested, "if you're tired."

"Let's not do that yet. It's still early! How about we play some games?"

"Games?"

She held up a hand, showing all five fingers. "Name a particular action that you've done in the past. If both of us did it, we get to curl down a finger each. Whoever makes a fist first becomes the winner and gets their wish granted by the other. How does that sound?"

Her suggestion piqued his interest. "Alright."

She eased her weight off his lap and sat before him. "Do you want to go first?"

"No," he said, his voice filling with anticipation. "You can show me first."

"Alright, I'll show you." She cleared her throat and considered for a moment. "Put a finger down if you've painted on your father's face before."

She was the only one who folded her thumb inward. "You've never done that to His Majesty? Even though he's your father?" When Yul shook his head, she chuckled as a mischievous idea formed in her mind. "You could do it to him someday, or maybe I should, since he's my father-in-law now."

He wore a curious expression. "Did your father not get angry at you for doing that to him?"

"No. Instead of being angry, I believe Father was amused. He got his revenge by drawing on my face." She laughed. "I was a wild child, so in time, they must have gotten used to my pranks. Now, it's your turn."

"I've never skipped a written assignment."

Now, they were neck to neck in this game. "That's diligent and boring of you, Yul." She wriggled her remaining four fingers playfully before folding one down. "You know this–I've skipped lessons in the past. Everybody should do it at least once. It's fun."

Yul blinked once, thinking, before he surprised her by folding his finger too. The entire nation knew he was an exemplary student from a young age, but his unexpected confession stunned Eun-bi and now she was very excited to listen to his story. "You skipped a class before? Why? I'm dying of curiosity here."

He pressed his lips in a firm line, as if he wasn't keen on sharing the story, but Eun-bi's anticipation only made him succumb to her. "A couple of children from the noble families in my class would call me the reincarnation of Grim Reaper for a period behind my back. Once, when it felt overwhelming, I ran away."

"What?" Eun-bi grew horrified, but anger caught up to her quickly. "Why?"

"I used to have half-siblings," Yul explained. "The King's concubines gave birth to two sons and a daughter, but they all seemed to die from illnesses or falls. Afterwards, the King ceased having children and I'm the only one left. Rumours said that I brought death upon the souls of those who became my siblings."

Eun-bi's nostrils flared in annoyance and pulled up her sleeves. "Give me the names of those classmates of yours, Yul. I will inflict punishment on them in my own ways."

"Don't. Such things do not bother me anymore," he assured her. "Shall we continue with the game?"

Both of them had three chances left. She told him she snuck into a gambling den once out of sheer curiosity and got kicked out, while he told her how he once caught a wild boar on a royal hunt. When she sent a ball flying into her neighbour's manor and damaged their storage jars, he humbly shared that he could recite any classic texts from memory–a feat that was impossible for Eun-bi.

There was a stark difference in their childhoods; hers was wild and full of life, but his was solemn and lonely.

In the final round of their game, she blurted out suddenly. "You're my most favourite person in this world, and I really just wanted to let you know that."

Her words made his expression grow hooded with love and desire, but for her sake, she knew he was restraining himself. The game ended when he curled his last finger too to form a fist, agreeing with her statement.

"Eun-bi, go to bed," he rasped with much difficulty, his fists now clenched tight on his knees. "If you don't go to sleep now, I don't know what I will do–"

She startled him when she flung her arms around him and knocked him back onto the bed. "Fine, I'm sleeping now. Together."

Shock melted from his shoulders and he pulled her up to kiss her forehead, the bridge of her nose, before finally descending on her lips. He never had a sip of wine ever since he stepped into this room, but he kissed her like a man quenching his thirst. As if she was the nectar he was addicted to drinking.

This was all he ever asked of her tonight. When he broke the amorous kiss, he held her close while she nestled into his chest, whispering a word into her ear. "Sleep."

Eun-bi obliged and closed her eyes, but the smile on her lips couldn't seem to leave.

She knew that neither of them would sleep tonight, especially since sharing their warmth and space meant setting every nerve of theirs on fire and awareness of each other.

***

The next morning, the couple visited the quarters belonging to the Queen Dowager, King and his concubines to offer their greetings and bows. Several servants giggled among themselves and congratulated the Crown Prince and Princess for their consummation after hearing the ruckus from their room last night.

She snorted at their exaggerated reactions, knowing that they were oblivious to the knowledge that she and Yul were spending most of the night talking, playing games and sleeping.

Such busybodies.

That evening, when Eun-bi returned to her own quarters, she found a sweet-smelling rose resting on a dresser table by the window.

It wasn't difficult to figure out who gave it to her. For someone who used to have a face and heart sculpted out of stone, where was Yul getting his confidence and sweetness from? Unlike in the past, where he would easily grow flustered by her advances, he was bolder now.

She couldn't be the only one suffering alone in this embarrassment.

Someday, she thought, she must rattle him once again.

Smiling, she picked up the rose to gaze at it, before her eyes laid on a piece of parchment folded beneath. When she read the letter's contents, a cold rush of blood invaded her veins and her knees grew weak. Her breathing stilled as silence descended upon the room.

Her quivering fingers gripped the letter before letting it flutter to the floor.

"The title of the Crown Princess does not belong to you."